A comment I made on the Frugally Sustainable Blog August 2013

Even though I check before I post there are always errors. Bugs me. So I am reposting this on my own blog and correcting the errors.  Hopefully I get them all this time.

The article on Homesteading I was responding to can be found here:

http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/08/modern-homesteading-and-sustainable-living-romance-vs-reality/#comment-23210

This is my slightly revised comment 

I am a long time follower of your Facebook page and use many of the recipes from your blog.
I seldom make comments but my hat is off to you for your honesty. Homesteading is hard. Being different is hard. I suppose that is why most people refuse to understand how vitally important it is to protect Mother earth.

In 1990 I was transported from big city life in Canada to a small farm in Ecuador. For ten years I knew great bliss in communing with neighbouring farmers, learning their methods of planting (for example the Three Sister method of planting corn, squash and beans), shearing sheep and castrating animals that were all done in accordance with the moon cycles. Most ploughing was done with a team of oxen although tractors were appearing now and then.

For ten years I derived a lot of pleasure learning about medicinal herbs from a relative (by marriage) who is a curandera, providing our own fresh milk and cream, fresh vegetables and herbs for the table. For protein we raised beef, goat, sheep, chickens and guinea pig (a delicacy in Ecuador).

Now I am home again with a small property in a village setting where I strive to grow a lot of my own food, edible and medicinal herbs and am exploring the possibility of solar power. Fortunately I live in a rural community where I can fill in the gaps by buying at the farm gate from people I know.

There are some who think I am nuts when I extol the virtues of red wiggler worms for composting my kitchen waste, make my own peanut and almond butters, laundry soap, shampoo, lotions and balms, cleaners and simple remedies.

I wish I could explain to them the a pleasure and satisfaction you get from understanding the web of life and knowing that every insect, bird, snake and weed in your garden has a purpose and should not be killed.  That varying your planting methods will encourage beneficial insects who will take care of the ones you may not favour as much.

I wish they could know the satisfaction of scratching a hole in a hill of potatoes and finding those tiny new potatoes, or the feel of when a tomato is ripe enough to drop into your hand with a gentle nudge.

You rock. I know you will reach your goals…and look like a million dollars with all the healthy fresh air and exercise.

And I hope you are reaching people who would not otherwise think about these things. I share a lot of your posts with friends in that hope.

   Andrea replied

What an amazing story Jane! You are an inspiration and I couldn’t agree with you more. All of what you mentioned represents to me the human desire of interconnectedness that is growing as our culture begins to relearn and accept ancient ways of growing, cooking, and healing. I am encouraged by the slight shift away from consumption and control as we move closer toward a relationship of coexistence with the Earth and animals of all kinds!

It is my hope as well that people like us continue to encourage one another on our journey toward sustainability — all the while leading by example!

The key to fuelling the fire of this trend…our continued willingness to see nature as nature is.

Thank you again Jane and blessings on you.